"Southside" Mike Miller - guitar & vocals

As in Willie Dixon’s famous lyric from "Hoochie Coochie Man", Michael Miller was born on the seventh day of the seventh month. Likely not on the seventh hour with seven doctors, but born for good luck nonetheless. And a love for the blues and music in general seemed to come naturally. He knew no great suffering in the south suburbs of Chicago but learned solid blue-collar ethics from both his parents. He discovered the blues through the rock music of the late 1960s and 70s. The recycled blues of the British invasion, though often impugned by blues purists, was the spark that set Mike and many a young fan down the blues highway. He gives thanks to Clapton, Beck, Mayall, and many others. He left Illinois in the early 70s and wandered northern California, settling for a time just north of Santa Cruz. He joined the Swanton Blues Band, playing at many small clubs around the area and the First annual Santa Cruz Blues festival. Mike was fortunate enough to hear and meet local Delta blues legend Robert Lowery and jumped at the chance to play as sideman in Lowery’s electric band. With fading dreams of music glory, he landed in Tucson in the early 80s where he began his tile contracting business but would jam with friends at any opportunity. It was one of these jams where he would meet J Lee. They played in bands together for nearly two years before finally giving in to their mutual attractions and that was 18 anniversaries ago. They aren’t quitting their day jobs but nor will they stop enjoying making music anytime soon.

J Lee Miller - bass & vocals

J Lee was born on the North Side of Chicago and grew up two blocks from Northwestern University's School of Music. Every night the sounds of students practicing different instruments would drift into her bedroom window. Sundays, after Catholic services, she would sneak into the Baptist church across the alley to listen to the gospel music. She started singing into an old microphone a musician had left after a family wedding reception. Soon a Kay guitar became a fixture around the house. On steamy summer nights, J Lee would sit outside the entrance to the No Exit Cafe and strum along with the beatnik jazz being played inside. From Bluegrass music through punk rock, the blues have always been a sanctuary and a mainstay through the changes in her life. Now she has found her anchor with husband Mike Miller and the Cubists.

Brian "The Foot" Bynes - drums

Brian grew up with music all around him. The auto loading turntable was always full of jazz records. In the 30's and 40's, Brian's grandfather entertained on the New York Vaudeville circuit. Bennie taught his grandchildren the art of music and entertaining with lessons and family "concerts." Brian took some piano and guitar from Bennie but fell for the drums. His parents made a deal. "Stick with the single drum pad for one year and we'll get you a set." Brian stuck with the pad for that year, got that first set, and has been laying down grooves ever since. Brian has played with Blues, Rock, and Jazz groups including his brother's, "The David Bynes Group." Brian's tastes have expanded. Now it's the iPod, not the turntable filled with Hip-Hop, Jazz, Blues and Latin in his house. Brian married a talented singer and aspiring guitar player. He even hooked his daughter into the music thing. She plays the trombone in the concert and jazz bands at her school.